I’ve always believed in celebrating the little moments—but let’s be honest, welcoming a new baby is anything but little. It’s a huge, life-changing milestone! And while traditional baby showers are sweet, sometimes what a mom really needs is support that goes beyond gifts and games. Enter: the nesting party.
A nesting party is a more hands-on, practical baby shower alternative where friends and family gather to help the mom-to-be tackle her pre-baby to-do list. We’re talking organizing the nursery, stocking the freezer with meals, deep-cleaning, folding tiny laundry—the real stuff that helps her feel ready.
It’s perfect for second-time (or third, fourth…) moms who don’t necessarily need another round of onesies but would love the extra help. It’s less about registries and more about rolling up your sleeves and showing up with love.
Thinking of hosting one for a friend (or yourself)? I’ve got all the tips, ideas, and must-knows to help you plan the ultimate nesting party. Let’s get to it!
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You may also like these other great Baby Shower related articles:
The Ultimate Baby Shower Guide
How to Host an Amazing Baby Shower on a Budget
33 Best Baby Shower Game Prize Ideas (That Aren’t Gift Cards)
What Is a Nesting Party and Why Should You Host One?
There’s something really special about a gathering where people don’t just show up to celebrate a new baby—they come ready to help. That’s the heart behind a nesting party.
Unlike a traditional baby shower that’s mostly gifts, games, and cute decorations, a nesting party focuses on practical support. Think organizing the nursery, prepping freezer meals, folding tiny onesies, or assembling baby gear. It’s the kind of event that actually helps parents-to-be feel more prepared (and a little less stressed) as they count down the weeks.
I’ll be honest—I had no clue what a nesting party was until I got invited to one last minute for a neighbor, right after we moved into our current neighborhood. I barely knew anyone there, but it turned out to be one of the best baby-related events I’ve ever been part of.
We sorted through hand-me-downs, built a crib, and filled her freezer—all for her fourth baby. But what made it memorable wasn’t just finishing up her checklist. It was getting together as fellow moms to hang out and support one of our friends. I personally haven’t had that much fun cleaning and doing housework in a long time!
Nesting parties aren’t just about getting things done—they’re about showing up. They turn the stress of baby prep into something comforting and meaningful, and they give parents something you won’t find on a registry: real support and a whole lot of love.
Top Tips for Planning a Nesting Party
There are several items that you need to keep in mind when planning a nesting party as opposed to a more traditional baby shower. Here are the top tips I have for planning the ultimate fun and productive party:
Choosing the Date and Time for a Nesting Party
Since a nesting party is more about real-life prep than cute decorations and games, picking the right time matters. You’ll want to plan it for later in the third trimester—usually around 4 to 6 weeks before the due date. That way, everything you do at the party will actually be useful when baby arrives, but it’s still early enough that mom isn’t totally wiped out or worried she’ll go into labor before the party.
Weekends are usually easiest if you’re hoping to get a good group together, but without all the usual fuss of a party it can easily be held on a week night. Ask the mom-to-be when it would feel most helpful for her. She might already be feeling overwhelmed or have a specific weekend in mind that works best with her schedule.
And just like with any kind of get-together, give people plenty of notice so they can block it out on their calendars and come ready to lend a hand.
Who to Invite to a Nesting Party
When it comes to a nesting party, you don’t need a huge guest list. Just think about the people in the mom-to-be’s life who would actually want to help—those friends or family members who are the first to say “What can I do?” and really mean it.
A small group can get a lot done, especially when you have a group with a variety of skills. Maybe one person loves organizing, another is great in the kitchen, and someone is good with tools and can tackle all the baby furniture.
Most importantly, think about who the mom-to-be feels comfortable around. This is a personal time, and she should feel relaxed and supported—not like she has to entertain anyone. A few familiar faces can make all the difference and turn a day of getting stuff done into something she’ll actually enjoy.
Sending Out the Invitations
When you’re sending out invitations, make sure you include the basics—date, time, and location—but also let people know this isn’t your typical baby shower. Give a quick heads-up that it’s a hands-on kind of day and share a few of the tasks you’ll be working on together.
You can go the traditional route with mailed invites, or keep it simple with a text, email, or digital invite. Whatever works best for your crowd!
Just make sure to ask for RSVPs. Knowing how many helping hands you’ll have makes planning way easier.
Planning the Nesting Tasks
So what exactly do you do at a nesting party? Think about the typical nesting to-do list a mom usually tackles in those last few weeks—only this time, she doesn’t have to do it alone.
Some helpful tasks might include:
- Finishing up the nursery
- Assembling baby furniture
- Washing and folding baby clothes, crib sheets, blankets, and burp cloths
- Organizing baby’s closet with bins and hangers
- Putting together gear like strollers, bassinets, bouncers, or swings
- Setting up a diaper changing station with diapers and wipes
- Cleaning and sterilizing bottles, pacifiers, and breast pump parts
- Setting up a breastfeeding station
- Prepping freezer meals
- Packing the hospital bag (click here for a checklist)
- Deep cleaning the house
Before you plan the details, talk with the mom-to-be about what would actually be helpful for her. She might have a few things already done—or there might be certain areas she’d rather not have anyone touching.
Ask her what her top priorities are, and if there are any tasks or rooms she wants off-limits. The whole point of the party is to make her life easier, not add more stress—so her comfort comes first.
We were featured on the Rent. blog! Check out the recent article we were quoted in: What is a Nesting Party? How to Host and How to Show Up.
Creating a Productive Atmosphere
Even though everyone’s there to help, it’s still a party. A little fun goes a long way when you’re working through a to-do list.
Turn on some music to keep the energy up. You can ask the mom-to-be to put together a playlist of her favorite songs or create one of your own. It doesn’t need to be loud or over the top—just something to keep the vibe happy and upbeat.
Make sure there’s time to take breaks too. Chatting, laughing, and just being together is part of what makes the day special. It doesn’t need to be super structured day of tasks—just a mix of getting things done and enjoying each other’s company.
What Supplies You’ll Need for a Nesting Party
To keep things running smoothly, it helps to have all the supplies ready before the party starts. What you need will depend on the tasks you’re planning, but here are a few basics that usually come in handy:
Cleaning Supplies – Stock up on things like all-purpose cleaner, sponges, gloves, paper towels—anything you’d want for a quick deep clean. You can also ask your guests to bring some of these items to help out.
Organizing Bins: Try to have a few different sizes on hand since you never really know what’s going to fit where until you start sorting. And check in with the expecting mom because she may already have some she wants to use or has preferences of the styles to match her decor.
Tools for Assembling Furniture – Grab the screwdrivers (I love this all in one set!), Allen wrenches, and if you’ve got a power drill, even better. It’s always more fun when you’re not fighting over the one tiny tool that comes with the baby gear.
Freezer Meal Supplies – If you’re cooking, make sure you have freezer bags, foil trays, foil sheets, and permanent markers for labeling everything. You’ll thank yourself later when meals are stacked neatly and ready to go.
- Refreshment Essentials – We’ll get into food and drinks in a sec, but go ahead and plan for a few snacks and drinks to keep your helpers going. After all, it’s still a party!
One easy way to get guests involved is to ask them to bring a few of these items along. It can be in place of a gift—or just things they already have at home and wouldn’t mind sharing. A few extras can make a big difference and help keep things low-stress for everyone.
What to Serve at a Nesting Party?
Let’s be real—people are way more willing to fold baby clothes and build furniture if there’s good food involved. Feeding your nesting party crew doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be easy and satisfying.
Go for low-effort, easy-to-eat options like finger foods and snacks you can grab without needing a full plate and fork. Think mini sandwiches, veggie and fruit trays, and a few sweet treats to keep the energy up.
For drinks, iced tea and lemonade are always crowd-pleasers. If you want to make it feel a little more special, a simple mocktail station is a fun touch and keeps everyone hydrated while they work.
The goal is to make it easy for people to eat, chat, and keep helping—no need for a full sit-down meal. Just a few simple snacks go a long way in keeping the good vibes (and the productivity) going.
Incorporating Tradtional Baby Shower Elements
Even though a nesting party is a more hands-on baby shower alternative, that doesn’t mean you have to skip all the classic baby shower fun. If the mom-to-be wants a little bit of both, go for it!
You probably won’t have time for a full set of party games, but you can easily work in a few quick baby shower activities—like a station for writing advice for the parents or a fun guessing game on the side. Or split the day up: spend the first half nesting, and the second half playing some cheesy baby shower games.
You could also skip the traditional gift table and do a diaper raffle instead—especially if the party is for a second or third baby.
At the end of the day, there are no rules when it comes to nesting parties. Ask the mom-to-be what she wants and build the day around that. The whole goal is to support her and help her feel loved—whatever that looks like.
Don’t Forget to Document the Day
It might not be a traditional baby shower, but a nesting party is still a special moment worth remembering. Between all the laughs, baby prep, and helping hands, there are going to be plenty of sweet, candid moments the mom-to-be will want to look back on.
So don’t forget to snap some photos and take a few videos throughout the day. You could even set out a polaroid camera for guests to pass around—it’s such a fun way to capture memories in the moment.
Later on, you can turn those pictures into a simple memory book or tuck them into her baby book. Either way, she’ll be so glad to have those little reminders of the love and support that surrounded her before baby arrived.
Wrapping Up the Festivities
As the party comes to an end, it’s a good idea to give the mom-to-be a chance to thank everyone for coming and helping out. She might want to say a quick thank you to the whole group, or chat with guests individually—it’s totally up to her. Just check in ahead of time to see what feels best.
You could also set out a little guest book or a notepad where people can leave kind messages, encouragement, or just a note to say they’re excited for her. It’s an easy way to add a personal touch that she’ll appreciate later on.
In the end, this day isn’t just about checking off a to-do list. It’s about surrounding her with love and support as she gets ready for one of the biggest changes of her life.
Final Thoughts on Hosting a Nesting Party
And that’s everything you need to know to plan a nesting party! Whether you’re hosting or you’re the one being celebrated, this baby shower alternative is such a meaningful way to gather friends and family and surround a mom-to-be with real, hands-on support.
From tackling the to-do list to stocking the freezer, the help given during a nesting party can make a huge difference in those early postpartum weeks. It’s a sweet mix of love, laughter, and practical help—and honestly, what more could a new mom ask for?
Have you ever been to a nesting party, or are you thinking of throwing one? I’d love to hear how it went or what surprised you—share your thoughts in the comments below!
